It’s nearly a week into 2013 and I’ve barely written
anything. I haven’t worked on revising my NaNoWriMo story nor have I expanded
the short story idea that overtook me on Christmas Eve. I’ve become distracted
by life again, and my writing has fallen by the wayside. If I had made a New
Year’s resolution, I would have already failed.
But I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I think they’re
rash, flimsy things that are usually lost by the first sight of Valentine
chocolates. I prefer to make goals instead. I know the terms aren’t very
different in meaning. However, I contemplate my goals for a while before I set
them. I’ve been thinking about my 2013 goals since Christmas, and I am still
contemplating as I write this post, nearly a week into 2013.
Should I resolve to… WRITE DAILY?
(I’ll fail within a week.)
Should I resolve to… WRITE MORE?
(Better but it needs
to be more concrete. And how many words defines more?)
Should I resolve to… WRITE 5000 WORDS A WEEK?
(Isn’t what I’m writing more important than how much?)
WRITING GOALS: WINTER/SPRING 2013
1.)
WRITE A SHORT STORY & GET IT PUBLISHED
2.)
REVISE MY NANO STORY INTO A DRAFT READY FOR BETA
READERS
I’m starting small and simple. I would like to get something
published, even if it’s just a short story. I have two finished short stories
and I’m working on another. Once I finish that one, I will have three solid
short stories to submit. Hopefully I can get one published by summer.
Also, my NaNo story has been in the back of my mind since November
30. I worked on it on and off in early December. But the holidays are so bright
and shiny; I got distracted. So, I resolve to dive into edits and have a first full
draft ready for beta readers, also by summer.
That gives me just over six months. I think I’ll be happy if
I accomplish just one of these goals. I’ll be downright ecstatic if I can
manage to succeed at both.
Now, I’ll post these in my apartment so they stare at me
every day.
Some Helpful Posts on Writing Goals/Resolutions and the New
Year:
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ReplyDeleteDon't stress yourself out too much, Jamie. When I'm in the midst of a major writing project, the holidays (or the entire month of December) goes out the window for me—oftentimes it's just too difficult for me to get into a suitable frame of mind. Maybe that's a copout, but it usually gives me a mental vacation so I don't beat my head against the wall when I'm Xmas exhausted and trying to push out quality work.
ReplyDeleteI think you should start worrying when you don't even WANT to write, and I don't think that's a problem! Remember to have fun when you write—it's much better than adding up your word counts anyway!
E
Thanks for the sage advice! Yes, I want to write most of the time, but work and other adult necessities get in the way sometimes. I have to admit NaNoWriMo put me in the word count frame of mind, but I'm trying to break that. Hope everything is well in Bloomington!
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